TeVeS gets caught on caustics

Abstract

TeVeS uses a dynamical vector field with timelike unit norm constraint to specify a preferred local frame. When matter moves slowly in this frame - the so-called quasi-static regime - Modified Newtonian Dynamics (MoND) results. Theories with such vectors (such as Einstein-aether) are prone to the vector dynamics forming singularities which render their classical evolution problematic. Here we analyse the dynamics of the vector in TeVeS in various situations. We find that, quite generically, the vector field develops caustic singularities on time scales of order the gravitational in-fall time. Having shown singularity formation is generic with or without matter, Bekenstein's original formulation of TeVeS appears dynamically problematic. We argue that by modifying the vector field kinetic terms to the more general form used by Einstein-Aether this problem may be avoided.

23 pages,12 figures, matches published version

References in corpus (8)

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• Generalizing TeVeS Cosmology
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• Lorentz violation and perpetual motion
• Black holes in the TeVeS theory of gravity and their thermodynamics
• Relativistic Modified Newtonian Dynamics from String Theory?
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